Eugene, OR— A 52-year-old man from Brookings was arrested early Tuesday morning after allegedly firing a gunshot into the ground during an encounter with Eugene police officers.
According to the Eugene Police Department (EPD), officers responded to a call at 2:39 a.m. on December 3 about a possible intoxicated driver in the area of West 6th Avenue and Van Buren Street. The caller reported that the suspect, later identified as Carl Russell Guenther, had confronted them after they followed him into the parking lot of the Signature Inn. The caller then drove around the block, and police were notified.
Upon arrival, officers located Guenther walking while holding a firearm. When challenged by police, Guenther allegedly fired a round into the ground. Authorities say he refused to follow officers’ commands and walked away from them, heading back to the Signature Inn parking lot where his vehicle was parked.
Police said Guenther then dropped to his knees and lay prone on the ground. Officers approached and took him into custody without further incident. A firearm was recovered from his waistband.
Guenther was transported to the Lane County Jail, where he faces multiple charges, including unlawful use of a weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, reckless endangerment, and unlawful possession of a firearm. As of December 4, he remained in custody.
The investigation is ongoing, and police have not released further details regarding the circumstances leading up to the confrontation.